Posts Tagged ‘
toxic chemical ’

Storage tank cleaning safety is the most important aspect that needs to be considered deeply before doing tank cleaning work. This applies for all storage tanks. In addition, special consideration should be given for tank that is used for storing highly flammable and toxic chemicals.

The following tank cleaning safety tips will help you preventing work accident because of doing this work. Please read those tips carefully and improve your preparation when you find that you have left something.

But, my very first recommendation is to read MSDS or material safety data sheet of chemical contained in the storage tank. Make sure that you have understood precisely about all aspect associated with that chemical. (more…)

Lab safety equipment is an integrated part of the whole safety system equipments in every chemical plant. Lab safety equipment is provided in order to avoid lab accidents, reduce hazard (chemical, physical and biological) exposure and etc.

Various analytical works are carried out in laboratory everyday, which involve the use many hazardous chemicals or hazmat. As the consequences, many potential hazards are possible to happen in the laboratory, such as chemical spills, worker exposure to toxic gases, explosion, fire and electric shock.

So that’s why lab safety equipment plays an important role in accident prevention inside the laboratory. It can save workers from death and injuries, and keep your accident statistic remain zero.

Then, what types of lab safety equipment do you have to provide? Here is the list. (more…)

“What are the dangers of chemical spills?” You may ask that question whenever you are trying to identify hazards associated with hazardous chemical spills.

With many hazardous chemicals presence in plant site, chemical spill hazards are much more likely to happen. Spills of acids, bases, highly flammable liquids, toxic chemicals, reactive substances, oxidizing agents and other hazardous chemicals can present real hazards to workers and environment.

Chemical spills can occur at production site, from a storage tank, warehouse area where chemicals are stored, during transportation, at the laboratory or during transferring operation. It means that chemical spills hazards have to be identified at these workplaces and activities. (more…)

Sometimes, we forget to provide MSDS of antifreeze. It is mainly because we handle antifreeze infrequently. Taking antifreeze out of refrigerant machine and then feeding it into the machine after overhaul work finished.

In addition, most of us expect that the exposure level is too small and to have antifreeze MSDS is not necessary.

However, some of antifreeze chemicals are hazardous. For instance, methanol is very toxic chemical, which is commonly used as antifreeze agent for chilled cooling water. Another example is ethylene glycol.

Exposure level of the antifreeze shall be assessed properly in order to measure their risk to worker’s health and safety. (more…)

Carbon tetrachloride or tetrachloromethane, which is widely known as Freon 10 and halon 104, is a colorless liquid with ether like smell. Carbon tetrachloride, with chemical formula CCl4, is a toxic chemical and harmful to human’s health.

Carbon tetrachloride was widely used as solvent in laboratory, precursor for refrigerant and fire extinguisher agent. But due to its environmental problem and health effect, its used has been greatly reduced. (more…)

It has passed 25 years since Bhopal gas tragedy happened. Methyl isocyanate was released into the air and caused thousands of people died in Bhopal, India. Bhopal gas tragedy is one of the most serious chemical plant accidents in this century. (more…)

Confined space is one of the most deadly spaces in the workplaces. It is because of confined spaces contain many potential hazards and have restricted exits way.

Related to confined spaces, OSHA requires that:
a. All confined spaces in the workplaces shall be identified.
b. Confined spaces shall be treated as hazardous until proven.
c. All confined space hazards shall be identified.
d. Appropriate response should be given to these hazards before entry.

Confined space hazards can be classified into hazardous atmosphere, physical hazard, chemical contact hazard and biological hazard. The hazard list below is hazards that are commonly identified in a confined space.

Oxygen rich (greater than 23.5%). This condition will introduce fire or explosion, especially when flammable vapor exists. So never use pure oxygen for ventilating a confined space. Use normal air supply only.

Oxygen deficient (less than 19.5%). Oxygen deficient or lack of oxygen can cause unconsciousness to death. Oxygen concentration in a confined space can be declined due to nitrogen intrusion, welding, grinding, oxidation, sandblasting or coating.

Oxygen and the existence of flammable vapors or gases can create flammable atmosphere. Chemical reaction and concentration of combustible dust may also create flammable atmosphere.

Toxic atmosphere. It is introduced when a toxic chemical or gas is stored in a tank/holder, when carbon monoxide or hydrogen sulphide is produced through decomposition or work being done in the confined space.

Corrosive atmosphere. Hydrochloric acid and ammonia are examples of chemicals that can build up a corrosive atmosphere.

Physical configuration hazards. The use of ladder and scaffolding, wet surface, uneven bottom, bends in tunnels, narrow area or poor lighting can cause physical hazards to the workers inside confined spaces.

Mechanical hazards. Mixing vessel, which is equipped with blades, can introduce mechanical hazard when workers come into the confined space (mixing vessel). Including in mechanical hazard is falling object.

Surface hazard, for instance slips and falls.

Noise hazards. Grinding work inside a confined space can result high level noise.

Vibration hazards.

Engulfment hazards. Engulfment hazard may happen when worker is entrapped by content of the confined space.